New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-21
THE FIRE RECORD.
EXCITEMENT IN THE "BIG FLAT"

NEARLY FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS LOST IN A
FURNITURE WAREHOUSE.
Flames ere discovered about p. m. yesterday on
tho second floor OF the ve-story double building Nos
175 and Ut Canal occupied By the Phoenix Furni-
ture Company. Every story Of the building filed
with furniture which had been shipped from Grand
Rapids Mich for sale In this city. The material fur
nshed fuel for big fire, and although three alorms
were sounded the remen had hard work to conne the
flames within tho walls of the big building 1t required
the united efforts of dozen companies for hour to
get the fire under control. Only two men IN tho
building at tho time of the outbreak and thcy said they
did not know how the flames started. Much excite
ment was caused among the ninety families living In
the Big Flat the large tenementhouse extending from
Mottst to Elizabeth-st In the rear Of the burning
building Smoke from the fire entered many rooms Of
tho house. and one Of the many women In the
house tainted from fright, but no damage was caused
on hand to prevent . panic. Among the interested
witnesses Of the fire Georg, Heyman. proprietor
of the bedding factory at No. 170 Canaist He was In
the Court House sitting juryman when he In
formed Of the fire. and Judge Barrett excused him to
let him look alter his property. Hi. loss by smoke
and water was about $4,000 covered by insurance
The building occupied by the furniture company WAS
completely Quilted and nearly all OF the furniture was
ruined. l. L. Baldw win. the New-York manager Of the
companys business Is In Grand Rapids. His assistant,
Mr. Robinson said the stock in the building worth
about $35 600 and probably was damaged $4,000.
The company IL protected by insurance to that amount
in Q dozen New-York and Bosion companies. The
burned building and those al joining have been known
as the St. Nicholas Buildings, and they belong to the
estate Of John f. Giles. 1t will cost about $4,000
to repair the building. which insured for 900
in the Niagara, Greenwich, Lancastershrc and Mer-
chants companies After the fire was el tnguished
Fireman John p. Walsh. of Hook and Ladder Com
pany No. 9, had his foot caught in hole which had
been cut through one OF the floors in the building His
ankle was injured seriously that ambulance car
Cd to ha fhap,n HOspital.
>
A LINEMAN KILLED WHILE CUTTING WIRE
Flames out In the engine OF the store occu-
ped by the Ccnte nnial American Tea Company atfNo
40 vesey ST.. yesterday about p. In few minutes
the whole building was enveloped. William Wilson. the
OF the standing at the door ana gave
the alarm and the employees left tho The stock
was valued at $25 900. and the building. owned by
Wagner No. 80 Beekman ST. was worth about $4,000
The each side Of the building were slightly dam
aged. The total loss Is about $4,000 when the IRE
broke out Frederick simons, lineman employed by
the United States Electric Light Company at the station
Futont assembled ladder and began 10 cut the cleo
trio light wires He put his around the RING OF the
ladder held the with his left hand and with his
right cut the wire To prevent 1t falling he cutched
the end but he had done 40 than the current
passed through his body For several seconds he strg
10 the street striking his head lie died ten minutes
later An ambulance call sent I'm. and surgeon ar
after Simons died. The wire wound around one OF
his and fireman pulled II on The wire was on
fire the time and remained until the current cut
of
The upper story OF No 81 vesey-st. door 10 the
burning building, occupied by Julius Hayes az q
feather buster factory aud the store floor by Daniel Har
girls employed The room rapidly hlled with
smoke Several Of the girls tainted. but when they
posed electric wires leading into the engine
got crossed and set nrc TO the WOODWORK